WDBJ anchor Chris Hurst danced in a production of The Nutcracker over the weekend, fulfilling a promise he made to his girlfriend, Alison Parker, who was shot and killed along with photographer Adam Ward during a live report four months ago.
“It makes me feel close to her in a very tangible way,” Hurst told The Richmond Times-Dispatch, which reports that Parker, an accomplished dancer, had signed the couple up to be part of the holiday production put on by the Southwest Virginia Ballet.
Hurst returned to the anchor desk in September. WDBJ’s general manager, Jeff Marks, told the Times-Dispatch he never doubted Hurst would return to the air:
Hurst’s healing, Marks said, has been critical to others’ healing at the station.
“As we watch Chris deal with his emotions and perform these public services that he’s doing — whether on the air or in the ballet — it’s all very inspiring and helps us stay on course,” he said.